Top roll unit for fiber attenuating apparatus



Dec. 26, 1961 B. c. COLE ETAL 3,014,249

TOP ROLL UNIT FOR FIBER ATTENUATING APPARATUS Filed May 23, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 .BURRHEVIFECIZVTO' E BY EDWIN R'WMTE RTTORNEYS Dec. 26, 1961 B. c. COLE ETAL 3,014,249

TOP ROLL UNIT FOR FIBER ATTENUATING APPARATUS Filed May 23, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IXT-VENTOR BURREL c. COL

BY EDWIN P. WAITE RTTORNEYS Dec. 26, 1961 B. c. COLE ETAL 3,014,249

TOP ROLL UNIT FOR FIBER ATTENUATING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 23, 1960 C. COLE BY EDWIN 1? WHITE m m w.

IBURHEL HTTO RIVEYS United States Patent 3,014,249 TOP ROLL UNIT FOR FIBER ATTENUATING APPARATUS Burrel C. Cole and Edwin P. Waite, Columbus, Ga., as-

signors to Cole Engineering Corporation, a corporation of Georgia Filed May 23, 1960, Ser. No. 31,150 21 Claims. (Cl. 19-137) This invention relates to a top roll unit for fiber attenuating apparatus and more particularly to such a top roll unit which shall require no suspension bars, nebs, overarms, cradles, tension pulleys or the like for maintaining the top roll unit in proper alignment with the driven bottom rolls.

Another object of our invention is to provide a top roll unit of the character designated in which the top rolls and nose bars are spaced apart and held in parallel relation by a simple two-piece saddle and the complete assembly is held in forward position and in true alignment with the cooperating bottom rolls solely by a pair of bottom aprons.

A further object of our invention is to provide a top roll unit of the character designated in which a predetermined, uniform tension is established on the bottom aprons and the top roll assembly is held on gage with the driven bottom line rolls by a weight applying stirrup member which is held in vertical position by guide members.

A further object of our invention is to provide a top roll unit in which the normal forward thrust on the top roll unit is controlled by a pair of bottom aprons.

Another object of our invention is to provide a top roll unit in which variations in cot diameters or other variations may be readily compensated for by a simple adjustment between a front saddle member and a rear saddle member, thereby simplifying readjustment of weight.

A further object of our invention is to provide a top roll unit in which the weighing mechanism may be detached from the unit in a minimum of time and with a minimum of effort.

A further object of our invention is to provide a top roll unit of the character designated which does not impose an overload on the driven bottom rolls and roll stand bearings and at the same time the unit is easily maintained in a clean and dry condition.

A further object of our invention is to provide a top roll unit of the character designated which shall include improved weight release means whereby the movement of the material being processed may be stopped quickly at any desired time without interrupting the feed-in of the material being processed.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a top roll unit of the character designated which shall be simple of construction, economical of manufacture and one which shall require a minimum of labor to maintain the same in satisfactory working order.

Heretofore in the art to which our invention relates, various means have been devised for holding a top roll unit in true alignment with the driven bottom line rolls. However, such top roll units have required suspension bars, nebs, overarms, or the like for maintaining the top roll unit in proper alignment with the driven bottom rolls. To overcome these and other difficulties, we provide a top roll unit in which the top rolls float on the lower line driven rolls without the necessity of nebs, overarms or the like for holding the top roll unit in proper relation to the lower driven rolls. The assembly is held on gage with the lower driven rolls by a saddle stirrup which in turn is held in a vertical position by suitable guides. The top rolls and nose bars are spaced and held in parallel relation to each other by a simple two-piece saddle and the complete assembly is held in forward position and in true alignment with the cooperating bottom rolls solely by a pair of bottom aprons.

Apparatus embodying features of our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partly broken away and in section, with certain parts including the top rolls being removed for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and showing the top rolls in place;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view showing a modified form of our invention in which the stirrup is operatively connected to the saddles by quick release means; and

FIGf7 is a perspective view showing the front saddle, rear saddle and stirrup of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of our invention, we show a roll stand 10 having lower front, middle and back line roll assemblies 11, 12 and 13, respectively. Mounted above the lower middle line roll 12 is a middle line top roll 14 which comprises the usual independent roll cylinders that are adapted for rotation on a stationary shaft 17. Mounted above the lower back line roll assembly 13 is a top line back roll 18 which is also provided with the usual independent roll cylinders that are adapted for rotation on a stationary shaft 19.

Extending transversely of the middle and back line top rolls l4 and 18 is a rear saddle 21 having recesses 22 and 23 in the lower surface thereof for receiving the shafts 17 and 19, respectively. The shaft 17 for the middle line top roll 14 is held in place within the recess 22 by a clip member 24 which is attached to the forward portion of the rear saddle 21 by a screw 26. Also, secured to the forward portion of the rear saddle 21 is an upper nose bar 27. A suitable recess 28 is provided in the rear saddle 21 for receiving the upper nose bar 27 whereby the nose bar is held at right angles to the rear saddle 21. The forward portion of the clip member 24- partially surrounds the rod of a double boss condenser, as shown in FIG. 2, whereby when the front top roll is removed, the clip will engage the condenser and hold it in approximate position until the front top roll is replaced. Clip 24 also serves as a rest for the front of the back saddle assembly when unweighed. The shaft 19' of the back line top roll 18 is held within the recess 23 by a spring clip member 29 which is secured to the rear portion of the rear saddle 21 by a screw 31.

Mounted above the lower front line roll 11 is a front line top roll 32 which comprises the usual independent roll cylinders that are adapted for rotation on a stationary shaft 33. Extending over the forward portion of the rear saddle 21 is a front saddle 34 having a transverse recess 36 in the lower forward portion thereof for receiving the shaft 33 of the top roll 32. As shown in FIG. 3, .the front saddle 34 is provided with depending flanges 37 and 3 8 which are adapted to engage opposite sides of a reduced portion of the rear saddle 21 whereby the front saddle is held in true parallel alignment with the rear saddle 21. The fit of the front saddle over the rear saddle also establishes the forward position of the front top roll. The front top roll 32 is adapted for free pivotal movement in a vertical plane about its point of contact with the recess '36 due to the free fit between the front saddle 34 and the back saddle 21, as shown in FIG. 3. In like manner, the middle line top roll 14 is free to pivot the in a vertical plane by the same means. The back line top roll 18 is adapted for pivotal movement in a vertical plane on its center bead 39, as shown in FIG. 4. It will be noted that the shaft 17 of the middle line top roll 14 engages spaced apart lower sections of the rear saddle 21 and the shaft 19 of the back line top roll 18 engages the rear saddle 21 at a single point or the point of contact with the bead 39, Accordingly, the rear saddle 21 engages the shafts 17 and 19 with a three-point contact, thus assuring firm engagement between the rear saddle 21 and the shafts 17 and 19 at all times.

The front saddle 34 is provided with a through open ing 41 which is substantially above and in alignment with a subjacent opening 42 provided in the rear saddle 21. The rear portion of the front saddle 34 is provided with a threaded opening 43 therethrough for receiving a threaded member 44 which is held in selected positions by a suitable lock nut 46. The lower end of the threaded member 44 engages the rear saddle 21 intermediate the middle line top roll 14 and the back line top roll 18 whereby weight is applied to the rear saddle 21 at this point.

A suitable clearer support 47 is mounted on the forward portion of the front saddle 34 by a suitable screw 48. Our improved assembly is adapted for use with practically any type of front line clearer and in many cases, the clearers in use may be retained.

Attached to the underside of the top nose bar 27 by any suitable means, such as by spot welding, are apron guides 49 which are provided with forwardly opening slots 51 for receiving a double boss bottom nose bar 52. Extending around the roll cylinders of the middle line top roll 14 and the upper nose bar 27 are upper aprons 53. In like manner, extending around the lower middle line driven roll 12 and the bottom nose bar 52 are bottom aprons 54 which are in position to engage the top aprons 53, as shown in FIG. 2, whereby the pair of relatively short bottom aprons 54 establish the forward position of the top roll assembly and also hold the entire top roll assembly in true alignment with the bottom driven rolls without the necessity of suspension bars, nebs, or overarms. Also, by holding the top roll assembly in true alignment, there is no necessity for alignment adjustments. The spaced relationship between the top and bottom aprons 53 and 54 may be: varied by providing an offset bottom nose bar 52 as described in our co-pending application Serial No. 810,895, filed May 4, 1959 and relating to Center Suspended Top Roll and Weighting Assembly for Fiber Attenuating Apparatus.

Extending upwardly through the aligned openings 41 and 42 provided in the front and rear saddles, respectively, is the upper end of a weight applying stirrup 56. As clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper end 57 of the stirrup 56 projects outwardly of the front saddle 34 and is pivotally connected to the front saddle by a pivot pin 58 which fits in selected ones of a series of openings 59 provided in the front saddle 34. The lower end of the weight applying stirrup 56 engages a stirrup guide 61 which preferably comprises a pair of substantially parallel side members 62 and 63 which are held in spaced, parallel relation to each other by suitable means, such as by connecting the members 62 and 63 to each other by an integral end member 64. The lower end of the stirrup 56 thus fits in the stirrup guide 61 with a close tolerance, whereby the upper pivotal connection between the stirrup and the front saddle is in substantially vertical alignment with the lower end of the stirrup 56. The stirrup guide 61 is secured to a generally U-shaped member 66 having legs 67 and 68 which extend along opposite sides of the stirrup guide 61, as shown in FIG. 1. Also, the leg members 67 and 68 extend rearwardly of the roller beam 69, as shown. The member 66 which carries the stirrup guide 61 is attached to the roller beam 69 by a suitable cap screw 71 which passes through an enlarged opening 72 provided in the roller beam whereby adjustment of the stirrup guide relative to the roller beam may be obtained. The stirrup guide 61 holds the stirrup in vertical alignment but permits forward or rearward movement thereof. By thus holding the lower end of the stirrup 56 against lateral movement, lateral creep of the top roll assembly is limited, and the bosses of top rolls are centered with the bosses of bottom rolls.

Extending inwardly of the stirrup guide 61 and pivotally connected thereto by a suitable pivot pin 73 is a weight application lever 74 having a rearwardly extending arm or detent 76 which engages a suitable notch provided in the lower end of the stirrup 56 whereby pressure is applied to the stirrup in close proximity to the pivot member 73. The other arm 77 of the weight application lever 74 extends rearwardly of the stirrup guide 61 and is operatively connected to a spring pressure unit indicated generally at 7 8.

The spring pressure unit 78 comprises a rod 79 mounted for reciprocatory motion in a housing 81 which bears against or is attached to the rearwardly extending leg portions 67 and 68 of the member 66. A coil spring 82 surrounds the rod 79 and the lower end of the rod 79 is threaded for receiving a nut 83 whereby the tension applied by the spring 82 may be varied. A suitable notch 84 is provided in the arm 77 for receiving a transverse pin 86. The upper end of the rod 79 is bifurcated whereby members 87 and 88 are positioned at opposite sides of the arm 77 in position to support the pin 86. To adjust the pressure to any desired amount, when the apparatus is installed, a scale is attached to the end of the arm 77. Then with the arm 77 in level position, the tension nut 83 is adjusted to the same scale reading as if a gravity weight were employed. It will be apparent that instead of employing the spring weight mechanism, a gravity weight may be hung on the lever arm 77 in the usual manner.

The extreme end 89 of the lever arm 77 is employed for weight release in the usual manner. To release the weighting on the stirrup 56, the end 89 is lifted with one hand while the other hand is placed on the front saddle and the portion of the stirrup above the saddle is pulled forward which in turn moves the lower end of the stirrup out of contact with the weight applying lever 74. To re-engage the stirrup, one hand is placed on the front saddle and the portion 57 of the stirrup is pushed rearward while the other hand lifts the weight applying lever 74 until the notch 75 at the lower end of the stirrup is in position to receive the rearwardly projecting detent 76 of the weight applying lever 74.

From the foregoing description, the operation of our improved top roll unit will be readily understood. To install the assembly, bottom line aprons of predetermined length, or diameter, are installed on the middle line bottom roll 12 in the usual manner. The bottom nose bar 52 is then inserted in the bottom aprons with the end of the bar partially exposed at each end. While holding the nose bar 52 at the center and slightly above its normal position, the back saddle assembly 21 with the middle and back line top rolls 14 and 18 in place is brought down until the slots 51 in the apron guides 49 are in position to receive the rear side of the bottom nose bar 52. It will be noted that the top apron 53 is positioned around the middle line top roll 14 and the upper apron nose bar 27 prior to positioning the rear saddle 21. The front saddle 34 is then positioned on the rear saddle with the lower end of the stirrup 56 extending downwardly through the openings 41 and 42 provided in the saddles. The front top roll 32 is installed by lifting the front end of the front saddle 34. The lower end of the stirrup 56 is then connected to the weight applying lever 74 as described hereinabove.

Reinforced synthetic aprons are preferred due to the fact that they will not stretch with age and will operate as belts. Also, such aprons last much longer when taut than when slack. While manufacturers uniform diameter tolerance are amply strict for good operating performance, it is preferred that all aprons be gaged with a simple diameter gage at the time of installation.

When pressure is applied, the complete pre-aligned top roll assembly will thrust forward due to the forward rotation of the bottom line rolls. This forward thrust is resisted and restricted by the pair of bottom aprons which surround the middle line bottom rolls and the bottom nose bar. Accordingly, the bottom aprons themselves are the means of establishing forward position and parallel alignment of the assembly. This arrangement also establishes and maintains tension on the bottom aprons and keeps them in balanced relation. As a rule, with the line between the pivotal connection of the stirrup to the front saddle and the connection between the lower end of the stirrup and the weight applying lever being at substantially 90 to the saddles, there will be ample forward thrust and bottom appron tension. However, if it is desired that this tension be increased, the pressure unit may be moved forward on the roller beam 69 by releasing the cap screw 71 and then retightening the same to hold the weight unit in the adjusted position.

Distribution of pressure on the three top rolls is predetermined and fixed due to the fact that uniform results are desired. However, the amount of pressure on the front roll relative to the middle and back line rolls may be increased or decreased according to the location of the stirrup pivot 58. That is, the pivot member 58 may be moved to selected ones of the openings 59. The overall stirrup weight may be increased or decreased by the pressure unit attached to the lever arm 74.

For uniform weightim the weight applying unit is preset whereby the weight application lever 74 is approximately level. Pressure is applied to the middle and back line rolls through the threaded member 44 which is adjustably connected to the rear portion of the front saddle 34 by the lock nut 46. Accordingly, by turning the threaded member 44 in a clockwise direction the stirrup will be lifted which in turn lifts the weight application lever. Gn the other hand, by turning the threaded member 44 in a counter-clockwise direction, the stirrup will be lowered, thereby lowering the stirrup and weight application lever. Normal bufiing of the front roll cylin- (lots will lower the stirrup very little whereby readjustment of the weight lever level may be accomplished in a minimum of time by turning the threaded member 44 in the proper direction until the weight lever is level.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that We have devised an improved top roll unit which is simple to install, simple to operate and one that is free from adjustments which are subject to human error. By providing a pair of relatively short bottom aprons which establish forward position and hold the entire top roll assembly in true ali nment with the driven bottom rolls, we have eliminated entirely the necessity of complex parts, such as suspension bars, nebs or overarms, cradles and apron tension pulleys. At the same time, our improved apparatus establishes and maintains tension on the bottom aprons, which is essential.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings, we show a roll stand Ili having lower front, middle and back line roll assemblies 11 12 and 13 respectively. Mounted above the lower front, middle and back line roll assemblies 11*, 12 and 13 are front, middle and back line top rolls 32 .14 and 18 respectively. The top line rolls 32, 14 and 18 are provided with the usual independent roll cylinders and are mounted for rotation on stationary shafts 33 17 and 1%, respectively.

Extending transversely of the middle and back line top rolls 14 and 18 is a rear saddle 21 having recesses 22 and 23 in the lower surface thereof for receiving the shafts 17 and 19 respectively. Also, a suitable recess 28 is provided in the rear saddle 21 for receiving an upper nose bar 27 The nose bar 27 and the shaft 17 are secured in place We clip member 24% which in turn is attached to the rear saddle 21 by a suitable d screw 26 The shaft 19 is secured in place by a clip member 29 which is attached to the rear saddle 2,1 by a screw 31 Extending over the forward portion of the rear saddle 21 is a front saddle 34* having a transverse recess 36 in the lower forward portion thereof for receiving the shaft 3 3 as shown. The upper surface of the rear saddle 21 is reduced to provide upstanding projections 91 and 92 adjacent the forward and rear ends thereof, repectively. As shown in FIG. 6, a recess 93 is provided in the under surface of the front saddle 34 for receiving the upstanding projections 91 and 92 on the rear saddle whereby the front saddle is held in parallel alignment with the rear saddle 2:1 The rear saddle 21 is provided with a series of openings 94 therein for receiving a pinlike member having a rounded upper end $6 which is disposed to engage the under surface of the front saddle 34 to provide a contact point between the front saddle and rear sadle. By providing a series of openings 94, the rounded member 96 may be moved to selected positions whereby the point of contact between the front and rear saddles may be varied to vary the application of weight in a manner well understood in the art.

Fitting within a suitable opening 97 provided in the front saddle 34 is a bearing member 98 for receiving an elongated member 161 having its lower end privotally connected to a stirrup 56 by a pivot pin 58 Pivotally connected to the elongated member 101 by a transverse pivot pin 102 is a yoke-like weight release member 103 having forwardly extending arms 104 and 106. Depending from the forward ends of the arms 1134 and 106 are cam-like members 1117 and 108, respectively, which are adapted to engage the upper surface of the front saddle. The forward portions of the arms 104 and 106 are connected by a plate-like member 109 having a suitable opening therethrough for receiving the elongated. member 101. The rearmost portion of the arms 104 and 106 are connected by a rearwardly extending platelike member 111 which serves as a handle to move the release member 103 about the pivot pin 102. As clearly shown in FIG. 6, the upper end of the elongated member is threaded for receiving a lock nut 112. A suitable washer 113 is positioned between the plate-like member 109 and the lock nut 112. Secured to the front saddle 34 in position to surround the elongated member 191 is a plate member 114 having an upstanding rear end 116 which is adapted to fit within a recess 117 pro- Vided in the plate-like member 1139 whereby the weight release member 103 is held against lateral movement when the rearwardly extending release lever 111 is in the down or weight applying position.

The lower end of the stirrup 56 is detachably connected to a weight applying lever 74* which is urged downwardly by a compression spring 8%. The amount of pressure exerted by the spring 82. is adjusted by an externally threaded member 83* which fits within a threaded opening provided in a spring housing 118. As shown in FIG. 6, the lever 74 extends between and is pivotally connected to vertically extending stirrup guide member 61 by a pivot pin 73 The lower end of the stirrup 56 is provided with a notch 75 for receiving a rearwardly extending detent 76 The stirrup guiide members 61 are attached to the roller beam 69 by a suitable cap screw 71.

The operation of our improved apparatus shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is substantially identical to the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-5. Instead of mounting the adjusting screw adjacent the rear portion of the front saddle, as shown inFIGS. l-S, the lower end of the adjusting screw is attached to the upper end of the stirrup whereby the stirrup may be quickly released upon-lifting the lever arm 111 to the dotted line position. That is, in the event the operation of the top roll unit must be stopped for any reason, the feed-in of the material being processed may be stopped quickly by merely raising the lever 111 to the dotted line position, shown in FIG. 6, whereby the back line top roll 18* moves in spaced relation to the back line lower roll 13*. The operation may be resumed by merely moving the lever 111 back to the solid line position, as shown in FIG. 6. Also, by adjusting the position of the nut 112 on the elongated member 101, the tension applied by the stirrup 56 may be adjusted in the same manner as the adjustment of the threaded member 44 in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-5. Accordingly, by positioning the threaded adjusting member 101 in position to be connected to the upper end of the stirrup, together with the cam-like release mechanism 103, threaded member 101 not only serves as a quick release for the weight mechanism, but actually serves to make adjustments of the weight mechanism. That is, any buffing or wear of the top rolls can be compensated for by adjusting the nut 1'12 whereby the lever arm 74* returns to its original pre-set position. In this position, the compression spring 82. exerts the proper tension on the lever arm 74 By providing a threaded member f6 which is in engagement with the upper end of the spring housing 118, the adjustment of the unit is greatly facilitated and it is not necessary to provide clearance in the subjacent apparatus for receiving the spring adjusting means.

While we have shown our invention in two forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and we desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. In a top roll unit for fiber attenuating apparatus including a front line top roll having spaced roll cylinders mounted for rotation on subjacent bottom rolls and other top rolls back of the front line top roll and having spaced roll cylinders mounted for rotation on subjacent bottom rolls, a rear saddle extending transversely of said other top rolls and holding said other rolls in spaced parallel relation to each other, upper and lower nose bars supported by said rear saddle and extending in spaced parallel relation to said other top rolls, upper aprons passing around said upper nose bar and one of said other top rolls, lower aprons passing around said lower nose bar and the bottom roll which is subjacent said one of the other top rolls and constituting the sole means of establishing the forward position of the top roll unit and holding the entire top roll unit in true alignment with the bottom rolls, a front saddle engaging said front top roll and extending rearwardly into engagement with said rear saddle intermediate said other rolls and disposed to hold said front top roll in spaced parallel relation to said other rolls, a weight applying stirrup operatively connected to said front saddle whereby weight is applied through said front saddle and said rear saddle to said front top roll and said other top rolls, and means limiting lateral movement of said weight applying stirrup whereby lateral movement of the top roll unit is limited.

2. In a top roll unit for fiber attenuating apparatus including front, middle and back line top rolls having spaced roll cylinders mounted for rotation on subjacent bottom rolls, a rear saddle extending between said middle and back line top rolls and holding said middle and back line top rolls in spaced parallel relation to each other, upper and lower nose bars supported by said rear saddle forwardly of said middle line. rolls, upper aprons passing around said upper nose bar and said middle line top rolls, lower aprons passing around said lower nose bar and said middle line bottom rolls and constituting the sole means of establishing the forward position of the top roll unit and holding the entire top roll unit in true alignment with the bottom rolls, a front saddle engaging said front line top roll and extending rearwardly into engagement with said rear saddle intermediate said middle line top roll and said back line top roll and disposed to hold said front top roll in spaced parallel relation to said middle and back line rolls, a weight applying stirrup operatively connected to said front saddle whereby weight is applied through said front saddle and said rear saddle to said front, middle and back line rolls, and means limiting lateral movement of said weight applying stirrup whereby lateral movement of the top roll unit is limited.

3. In a top roll unit as defined in claim 2 in which the means limiting lateral movement of the weight applying stirrup comprises vertically extending stirrup guide members mounted at opposite sides of said stirrup in position to hold said stirrup for movement in a substantially vertical plane.

4. In a top roll unit as defined in claim 3 in which the front saddle and rear saddle are provided with aligned openings therein for receiving the upper end of the weight applying stirrup and said stirrup is pivotally connected to said front saddle adjacent the upper end of said stirrup.

5. In a top roll unit as defined in claim 4 in which the upper end of the weight applying stirrup projects above the front saddle to thereby form an operating lever.

6. In a top roll unit as defined in claim 5 in which the lower end of the weight applying stirrup is detachably connected to a Weight lever arm.

7. In a top roll unit as defined in claim 2 in which the front and rear saddles are held in true alignment with each other by cooperating guide surfaces carried by said front and rear saddles which are disposed to engage each other.

8. In a top roll unit as defined in claim 2 in which the front saddle is provided with spaced apart, depending flanges which receive an upper portion of the rear saddle therebetween whereby the rear saddle is held in true alignment with said front saddle.

9. In a top roll unit for fiber attenuating apparatus including front, middle and back line top rolls having spaced roll cylinders mounted for rotation on subjacent bottom rolls, a rear saddle extending between said middle and back line top rolls and holding said middle and back line top rolls in spaced parallel relation to each other,

upper and lower nose bars supported by said rear saddle forwardly of said middle line rolls, upper aprons passing around said upper nose bar and said middle line top rolls, lower aprons passing around said lower nose bar and saidmiddle line bottom rolls and constituting the sole means of establishing the forward position of the top roll unit and holding the entire top roll unit in true alignment with the bottom rolls, a front saddle engaging said front line top roll and extending rearwardly over said rear saddle, adjustable contact means interposed between the rear portion of said front saddle and said rear saddle intermediate said middle line top roll and said back line top roll defining the point at which weight is applied to the rear saddle, means holding said front saddie and said rear saddle in true alignment with each other whereby said front line top roll is held in parallel relation to said middle and back line top rolls, a weight applying stirrup operatively connected to said front saddle whereby weight is applied through said front saddle and said rear saddle to said front, middle and back line rolls, and means limiting lateral movement of said weight applying stirrup whereby lateral movement of the top roll unit is limited. Y

10. In a top roll unit as defined in claim 9 in which the adjustable means interposed between the front saddle and the rear saddle comprises a threaded member, there being a threaded opening through said front saddle for receiving said threaded member and means locking said threaded member inselected positions.

11. In a top roll unit for fiber attenuating apparatus as defined in claim 9 in which the lower end of the weight applying stirrup is provided with a notch therein for receiving a detent carried by a weight applying lever where- 9 by said stirrup is connected releasably to said weight applying lever.

12. In a top roll unit for fiber attenuating apparatus as defined in claim 11 in which said weight applying lever is operatively connected to an adjustable spring weight unit.

13. A top roll assembly comprising a top roll having spaced roll cylinders mounted for rotation on a subjacent bottom roll, double boss upper and lower nose bars, means holding said nose bars in spaced parallel relation to said roll cylinders, upper aprons surrounding the bosses of said upper nose bar and said roll cylinders, and lower aprons surrounding the bosses of said lower nose bar and said bottom roll said lower aprons constituting the sole means of establishing the forward position of the top roll assembly and holding the entire top roll assembly in true alignment with the bottom roll.

14. A top roll assembly as defined in claim 13 in which a weight applying stirrup is pivotally attached adjacent itss upper end to the top roll assembly, and guide means is provided to hold said stirrup for movement in a single vertical plane which is normal to the axis of rotation of said top roll.

15. A top roll assembly as defined in claim 13 in which a weight applying stirrup is pivotally attached adjacent its upper end to the top roll assembly, means for applying pressure to said stirrup said means comprising a lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends adjacent the lower end of said stirrup and having a short arm and a lon arm, means detachably connecting said short arm to said stirrup, means applying spring pressure to said long arm, means to adjust the gage the spring pressure applied with said long arm in level position, and means carried by said top roll assembly to raise and lower said stirrup and thereby establish level position of said long arm.

16. A top roll assembly as defined in claim 15 in which the means carried by the top roll assembly to raise and lower the stirrup comprises a two piece saddle member with one piece of said saddle connected to said stinup, and means for moving said one piece of said saddle relative to the other piece or said saddle whereby the stirrup is raised and lowered.

17. A top roll assembly as defined in claim 15 in which the means carried by the top roll assembly to raise and lower the stirrup comprises a two piece saddle member with one piece of said saddle adjustably connected to said stirrup, and means holding said stirrup at selected positions relative to said one piece of said saddle.

18. In a top roll unit for fiber attenuating apparatus including a front line top roll having spaced roll cylinders mounted for rotation on subjacent bottom rolls and other top rolls back of the front line top roll and having spaced roll cylinders mounted for rotation on subjacent bottom rolls, a rear saddle extending transversely of said other 10 top rolls and holding said other rolls in spaced parallel relation to each other, upper and lower nose bars carried by said rear saddle, upper aprons passing around said upper nose bar and one of said other top rolls, lower aprons passing around said lower nose bar and the bottom roll which is subjacent said one of the other top rolls and constituting the sole means of establishing the forward position of the top roll unit and holding the entire top roll unit in true alignment with the bottom rolls, a front saddle engaging said front top roll and extending rearwardly into engagement with said saddle intermediate said other rolls and disposed to hold said front top roll in spaced parallel relation to said other rolls, an adjustable member mounted on said front saddle and adapted for vertical adjustment relative thereto, a weight applying stirrup operatively connected to said adjustable member whereby weight is applied through said front saddle and said rear saddle to said front top roll and said other top rolls, means to adjust the position of said adjustable member relative to said front saddle whereby the weight applied to the top rolls is varied, and means limiting lateral movement of said weight applying stirrup whereby lateral movement of the top roll unit is limited.

19. In a top roll unit as defined in claim 18 in which the adjustable member is connected releasably to said front saddle whereby the weight applied to the top rolls is releasable to thus stop the feed-in of the fiberbeing attenuated when said adjustable member is released.

26. In a top roll unit as defined in claim 18 in which the adjustable member comprises an elongated threaded member extending through said front saddle and pivotally connected at its lower end to the upper end of said stirrup, and an adjusting nut mounted on said threaded member above said front saddle.

21. in a top roll unit as defined in claim 18 in which the adjustable member comprises an elongated member extending through said front saddle, means to lock said elongated member at selected positions relative to said front saddle, a cam lever operatively connecting said elongated member to said front saddle whereby when the cam lever is moved in one direction the elongated member is moved in a direction to apply pressure to the top rolls and when the cam lever is moved. in the opposite direction the pressure applied to the top rolls is released. 7

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